WHY GRAY HAIR

What cause gray hair?

In most cases gray hair is a result of natural aging. Pigment (Melanin) in the hair shaft decline is the cause to gray hair. The production of melanin is reduced at the root, which in turn effect hair color pigment loss and turn hair shaft color to have less color to look gray.  White hair has no pigment, and gray hair has some color left of the person's original hair pigment color. The graying process usually is gradual.

Each hair follicle contains a number of pigment cells. These pigments effect the production of a chemical called melanin that gives the growing shaft of hair its colors. Melanin is found in our skin's color which effects its color, dark or light color red or blonde, etc. As we get older, the pigment cells in our hair follicles gradually is produced in less quantities. When there is less pigment cells in a hair follicle show up as gray color as it grows.

Gray hair growth may start at any age.  Most notice gray hair growing onto their natural color in their 40's.  Fifty percent of Caucasians male and female , will be at least 50 percent gray by age 50.

Hair turning gray is effected by the natural genetic properties of ones family genes.  If ones parents hair grayed at an early age so will be expected with the children's hair.  The hair that is already on the head will not lose pigment color but the new hair will have a decrease in melanin production at the root.  So as the new strands show up, the hair will be with less pigments or with non as gray hair.

Physical or emotional trauma can cause body stress that effects the production of the hair melanin and moves hair actively growing hair into a resting phase.

Hair does not turn gray overnight. Alopecia areata hair loss condition may cause hair to appear gray overnight.  In actuality, the condition causes the thicker, darker hairs to stop growing before it affects the growth of gray hairs, giving the impression of graying overnight.

Today, gray hair hue has become a stylish hair color option. Today many men and women choose gray look. Styled gray hair has a dramatic and elegant look.

What cause a sudden gray patch or streak?

A sudden gray hair patch or white streak is called Poliosis. The name comes from the Greek word ''pilios'' for gray.

It is not a disease or illness.  In most cases white or gray patch occurs in the forehead area but it could can involve eyebrows, eyelashes or other body hair. 

It can happen anytime or at any age. The cause is a loss of pigment in the hair and skin area. A single or multiple patches can occur with a sudden body stress or with medical conditions such as piebaldism, a genetic disease and other or with Vitiligo a skin condition.

Children can have hair turn gray. Gray hair in a child is uncommon and should be diagnosed by a doctor. A medical condition may be the cause, such as thyroid disorders, vitamin B-12 deficiency and other conditions.

Can gray hair be processed with a perm?

Gray hair is typically more resistant to color and other chemical products. The hair cuticle doesn’t absorb moisture as readily as regular pigmented hair. The perm chemicals may take longer to penetrate the hair shaft for the perm process to take hold.  Allow extra time for a test to see how long the perm process time will result with the best perm.

Every day, normal hair loss is about 50 to 100 hairs.  Large quantities of hair falling out may reflect an underlying chronic illness, such as autoimmune disorder, cancer which post severe stress on the body.  Therefore, signs of stress show up as hair falls out in abnormal rate.